THE FAMILY OF JEFFERY CHANDLER AND JOHN AND EVANS FRANKENHEIMER CHOOSE THE PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSE

December 14, 2012
by Petersen

The FamilY of Jeffery Chandler and John AND EVANS Frankenheimer Choose

The Petersen Automotive Museum to Preserve Their Legacies

(LOS ANGELES, Dec., 2012) The Petersen Automotive Museum recently received two outstanding vehicles to add to its world-class collection of over 400 vehicles. “Double Dozen”, a hand-built roadster whose design is based on a 1933 Ford, and an immaculate 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III are the latest in a long line of vehicle donations in the museum’s 18 –year history. As is the case with the majority of the museum’s vehicles, both cars come with great provenance.

Double Dozen

The late Jeffrey Chandler, a descendant ofthe family that built the Los Angeles Times, commissioned a hot rod design by Chris Ito and Steve Frisbee and built by Steve’s Auto Restorations .“Double Dozen” was created to compete for “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” (AMBR) in the 2011 Grand National Roadster Show, the longest running indoor car show in the world. The handcrafted hot rod won Outstanding Paint, Outstanding Interior, Outstanding Engineering, Outstanding Undercarriage, and even Outstanding Display, and went on to win Good Guys Streetrod d’Elegance, 2011. Double Dozen joins the museum’s collection of historic hot rods including the Boyd Coddington built Aluma Coupe and the AMBR winning Impact roadster, both previously donated by long time Petersen board member and car collector, David Sydorick.

“I can’t think of any better place for his most favorite car than the Petersen Automotive Museum for all to enjoy and honor his legacy,” said Chandler’s widow, Charlotte.

Victoria

Four-time Emmy Award winner John Frankenheimer, Director of 51 different films including iconic car movies such as Grand Prix (1966) and Ronin (1998), was a dyed in the wool “Car Guy” as is his wife Evans. While filming The Train (1964) on location in France, Frankenheimer took Evans to London on a visit to his tailor. Afterward, the couple walked across the street, in the pouring rain, to the local Rolls-Royce dealer.On display was a Rolls-Royce Cloud III and one Bentley. The Rolls-Royce was a better fit for Frankenheimer’s long legs.He asked Evans if she liked it and she said “Yes, it’s a lovely car!”John smiled and said, “Well it’s yours.It’s a belated wedding present!”

The couple ordered a bespoke model right on the spot. They paid for the car in French Francs, and because it was the weekend and the banks were closed and the dealer did not have an available safe, the cash was locked in the glove boxes of the cars in the showroom.

Evans has owned “Victoria” (named after the Queen) for fifty years, which included taking it on four trips to Europe and to movie sets around the world. Victoria joins several other vehicles the Frankenheimer’s have donated to the museum, including a 1947 Oldsmobile, and a custom pair of matching Mercedes-Benzes.

“We are thrilled to receive both of these outstanding donations,” said Petersen Automotive Museum Chief Curator, Leslie Kendall. “Not only are they beautiful vehicles, they are also important because of the stories that they can help tell about two local families that have had influence around the world.”

The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity, so beyond preserving a family’s legacy there can also be tax benefits. “It is common for people to donate at the end of the year, but we accept donations year-around,” continued Kendall. “Anyone can donate. Even if you think your donation isn’t important, it could help us illustrate an important story. We accept automobile and motorcycle –related literature, parts, accessories, art and service equipment, and just about anything else vehicle-related, though we do inspect the items first to make sure that they are something that we need.”

For more information about how to make contributions or donate, vehicles, and other automobile or motorcycle–related items, please contact Mary Brisson at (323) 964-6396, or email mbrisson@petersen.org.

Both vehicles have been placed on exhibition in places of honor within the Petersen Automotive Museum. Double Dozen is showcased in the hot rod exhibit in the Bruce Meyer Gallery. Victoria is one of the stars in the museum’s popular Hollywood Gallery.

The Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, California 90036. Admission prices are $12 for general admission adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students with ID, $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members, active military with ID and children under five are admitted free. Parking is free for the first 30 minutes and $2.00 each additional 30 minutes. One hour validation with purchase of $10 or more in the Museum Store or Johnny Rockets located in the museum lobby.Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum’s Web site at: www.petersen.org.